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That makes total sense. I disagree with your takeaway but it seems like a valid one to have. From my experience coming from homelessness type of poverty to mak
by beardedetim 6y ago
That makes total sense. I disagree with your takeaway but it seems like a valid one to have.
From my experience coming from homelessness type of poverty to making 6 figures, I have access to many things and don’t have to worry about food anymore. But. I still don’t have enough savings to live off of if I lose my job, am still one serious accident away from bankruptcy, etc. the way I’ve explained it is that I now have something to lose, not that I’ve gained all that much outside of benefits (I now have two front teeth!)
Maybe the point I’m trying to make with my anecdote is that making $$$ isn’t the same as having $$$, high CoL or not.
- bumby 6y ago>the point I’m trying to make with my anecdote is that making $$$ isn’t the same as having $$$ This is very true but I feel like it misses the point. Making $$$ gives you resources to have many things that are outside the grasp of the majority. (Whether you squander that opportunity or not is up to you) There’s nothing wrong with that, but feeling like you are disadvantaged when you have access to more than most comes across as out of touch. I think there’s probably some hedonic treadmill effects here. Thinking at one point in your life “if I can make $200k a year, I’ll be rich” and “feeling rich” once you get there may not align as often as we’d hope. But you likely live a rather “rich” lifestyle compared to those making $40k/yr. I also think there’s often comparative effects that reduce how it feels. $200k feels low once you realize your neighbor who owns a landscaping company pulls $400k.